This Saturday, December 17, 2016, The Carlson Family brings real SNOW to Pine Tree Circle! Grab your mittens and bring your family and friends for the very special Topanga annual holiday event.

Bring a dish to share and your best caroling voice. Play in the snow and shop in our beautiful town center. You just know you will find great gifts at Topanga Homegrown. I’ve already done most of my holiday shopping there – so convenient!

]]>1478Square Dance at the Topanga Community Househttp://discovertopanga.com/2016/09/25/square-dance-topanga-community-house/
Sun, 25 Sep 2016 19:59:59 +0000http://discovertopanga.com/?p=1454Swing your partner up to the Community House for a Square Dance! This Friday, September 30th, will be a fun night, with a bake sale and a cash bar. You don’t need to know how to square dance, as caller Susan Michaels will take you right through the steps. Some people dress up in fancy …

]]>Swing your partner up to the Community House for a Square Dance! This Friday, September 30th, will be a fun night, with a bake sale and a cash bar. You don’t need to know how to square dance, as caller Susan Michaels will take you right through the steps. Some people dress up in fancy petticoats, others just wear whatever. Make a plan with friends & neighbors!

While you are there, make sure to sign up to become a member of the Topanga Community Club. It is a great facility run by volunteers who really put their hearts, heads, and hands into making it a great gathering place for our community. Bring your talents to help!

]]>1454Topanga Canyon Real Estate Market Report Year-to-Date Sept 3, 2016http://discovertopanga.com/2016/09/03/topanga-canyon-real-estate-market-report-year-date-sept-3-2016/
Sun, 04 Sep 2016 01:24:40 +0000http://discovertopanga.com/?p=1434Topanga is a unique market – a huge price range with just a few homes in each price bracket. Here are the current on market and sale numbers for 90290*: There are 44 Total Topanga Homes for Sale 33 in Active Status 8 in Active Under Contract Status 2 in Pending Status 1 in Hold …

Topanga is a unique market – a huge price range with just a few homes in each price bracket. Here are the current on market and sale numbers for 90290*:

There are 44 Total Topanga Homes for Sale

33 in Active Status

8 in Active Under Contract Status

2in Pending Status

1 in Hold Status

There were 69 Topanga homes Sold since January 1st

Lowest sale price$450,000

Highest sale price $3,375,000

Average Selling Price to Average Listing price 97.91%

Average Days on Market for YTD 2016

Active homes – 82

Active Under Contract – 148

Pending – 54

Sold – 86

This puts the numbers ahead of sales for the same period of 2015 in which 55 Topanga homes were sold.

The Topanga Home Market inventory is very low. Well priced, desirable homes are coming on the market and going into escrow quickly at or above list price. There are buyers who have been shopping in Topanga for a while who are desperate for new inventory.Our starter homes are in the $700,000s, now, and scarce. It is very slim inventory for the $700,000 to $1.2 million range right now.

Appraisals should be well supported on an accurately priced home. Buyers have heard the news reports stating that mortgage rates will be rising before the end of the year, which may have more buyers coming out to beat the increases. Buyers should come to the market with a thorough pre-approval in their hands to know their best price range and to make an attractive, solid offer. Use a lender that KNOWS Topanga.

If you would like to discuss the Topanga Home Market and get an accurate report on your home’s value, please call me right now. Our inventory is low, and a well-prepared, well-marketed home will attract some great offers right now.

]]>1434City Hearts 2014 Shakespeare Challenge in Topangahttp://discovertopanga.com/2014/04/29/city-hearts-2014-shakespeare-challenge/
Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:51:42 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=955Wherefore art thou, Topanga art patrons? You can help bring the arts to kids who would not otherwise have the experience. You can help make it happen! Come enjoy the fruits of these students’ labors at the City Hearts Shakespeare Challenge, Recital & Photography Exhibition. On May 31st, in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater of the Will …

]]>Wherefore art thou, Topanga art patrons? You can help bring the arts to kids who would not otherwise have the experience. You can help make it happen!

Come enjoy the fruits of these students’ labors at the City Hearts Shakespeare Challenge, Recital & Photography Exhibition. On May 31st, in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater of the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, students from Compton, Pacoima, and Boyle Heights will perform and display their work.

Who brings these talented kids to our stage? City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, a non-profit established by Topangans Sherry & Bob Jason to provide enrichment and inspiration to some of the most disadvantaged children in Los Angeles. Through training with professional practicing artists in Dance, Music, Shakespeare, Musical Theater, Playwriting, Photography, and Visual Arts, these kids get to personally experience being creators and artists.

I’ve seen the photography produced by some of the students. It is wonderful! Each brings a unique perspective to the lens. Each is an artist discovering his or her own talent and possibilities. This day will be a celebration of potential and hope.

]]>Topanga Canyon Real Estate Market for March and the First Quarter of 2014:

There were 42 Total Topanga Homes for Sale

32 in Active status*

7 in Looking for Backup (Contingency) Status

9 in Pending Status

2 in Hold Status

There were 10 Topanga homes Sold in March 2014

Lowest sale price $489,500

Highest sale price $2,600,000

Average selling price to Average Listing price 96.6%

Homes sold in 1st Quarter 2014 – 22

Average Days on Market for March 2014

Active homes – 83

Backup – 107

Pending – 69

Sold – 80

This puts the numbers slightly ahead of sales for First Quarter 2013 in which 20 Topanga homes were sold. We did have a slow start to listing inventory for Spring 2014 season, but the market is really jumping now. Three more homes closed in the first half of April.

Well priced, desirable homes are coming on the market and going into escrow quickly at or above list price. There are buyers who have been shopping in Topanga for a while who are desperate for new inventory. The market is looking good for sellers with some great comparable properties set to close within the next month or so. Appraisals should be well supported on an accurately priced home going into the summer. Buyers have heard the news reports stating that mortgage rates will be rising towards the end of the year.

If you would like to discuss the Topanga Home Market and get an accurate report on your home’s value, please call me right now. Topanga Canyon is beautiful in Spring – your house will look great!

Elaine Hanson 310-924-1032

*I should mention that I left out the home at the North end of the canyon which is priced at $15.99 million. It is a singular estate that skews the statistics.

]]>946Mortgage Market Statistics 2013-2012 Comparisonhttp://discovertopanga.com/2014/02/14/mortgage-market-statistics-20132012-comparison/
Fri, 14 Feb 2014 17:18:38 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=824Don't get shut out of a great home buying or selling season by sitting on the sidelines.

]]>Topanga Home Buyers need to keep in mind that home price fluctuations are not the only financial element to watch. Mortgage rate activity is a vital factor to monitor in your home purchase process. Sellers would be wise to consider that buyers may be trying to beat any future interest rate increases, so sitting on the sidelines waiting to get a higher sales price may not be the wisest strategy. Here is some great basic info to consider showing the most recent year over year comparison:
Courtesy of Jeff Chalmers, ClickNFinance.com

Don’t get shut out of a great home buying season by sitting on the sidelines. Keep both home price and interest rate activity on your radar during your home buying or selling process.

]]>824Topanga Film Institute and Festival 2013 – A Topanga Happeninghttp://discovertopanga.com/2013/07/19/topanga-film-institute-festival-2013-topanga-happening/
Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:16:49 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=785This weekend, July 18-22, is the 2013 Topanga Film Festival at beautiful venues around town. Get your tickets now – If they are sold out online, they may have some at the door. Check out the schedule The Topanga Film Institue and Festival is a non-profit which supports the efforts of independent filmakers around the …

]]>This weekend, July 18-22, is the 2013 Topanga Film Festival at beautiful venues around town. Get your tickets now – If they are sold out online, they may have some at the door. Check out the schedule

The Topanga Film Institue and Festival is a non-profit which supports the efforts of independent filmakers around the globe. They promote storytellers that inspire and move us to act to make this world a better place. The beautiful films capture people and places, but it is the stories that move us. Who’s up for a great story?

]]>785Hearts and Crafts Fair in Topangahttp://discovertopanga.com/2013/01/29/hearts-crafts-fair-topanga/
Tue, 29 Jan 2013 22:22:31 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=728Come see the beautiful works lovingly created by local artisans this Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the Hearts and Crafts Fair at the Topanga Community House. Find all kinds of beautiful gifts for your Valentine or maybe just pamper yourself a little bit with a new treasure. Proceeds will benefit the rebuilding of the Playground …

]]>Come see the beautiful works lovingly created by local artisans this Saturday, February 2, 2013, at the Hearts and Crafts Fair at the Topanga Community House. Find all kinds of beautiful gifts for your Valentine or maybe just pamper yourself a little bit with a new treasure.

Proceeds will benefit the rebuilding of the Playground at the Community House. Join the Hearts and CraftsEvent on Facebook and show your support by sharing!

]]>728Attention Topanga Home Sellers – Buyers Need Your Homes!http://discovertopanga.com/2013/01/03/topanga-home-sellers-buyers-need-your-homes/
Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:20:55 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=718The 2013 Topanga Real Estate Market is starting out strong. Buyers are feeling confident that the market is in recovery and they are actively searching for their next home. The problem is, there are not a lot of homes from which to choose. This last year, homes that were coming on the market properly priced …

]]>The 2013 Topanga Real Estate Market is starting out strong. Buyers are feeling confident that the market is in recovery and they are actively searching for their next home. The problem is, there are not a lot of homes from which to choose. This last year, homes that were coming on the market properly priced were receiving multiple offers. The activity began in the lower dollar markets and we are now seeing it roll up to the higher priced markets. Buyers with great credit are finding financing and BUYING!

The Topanga 90290 2012 inventory level of homes for sale declined sharply throughout 2012. If you would like to sell your home, call me to discuss our Topanga Market conditions in detail and to get a thorough Market Analysis of your home’s value. I’ll help you with each step – from advising you how to prepare your home to be show ready for buyers through to a successfully closed transaction. Let’s talk!

]]>718Topanga Artist Watercolor Sale- Put Some Art in Your Lifehttp://discovertopanga.com/2012/09/27/topanga-artist-watercolor-sale-catherine-tirr/
Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:27:53 +0000http://www.discovertopanga.com/?p=669Topanga Artist Catherine Tirr’s Gorgeous Watercolors will be on sale at Vidiots on Pico in Santa Monica, Saturday, October 6, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Catherine is a long-time Topangan whose works have been exhibited at LACMA, The Armand Hammer Museum, and various other venues, both here in L.A. and internationally. She also teaches art with …

Topanga Artist Catherine Tirr’s Gorgeous Watercolors will be on sale at Vidiots on Pico in Santa Monica, Saturday, October 6, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Catherine is a long-time Topangan whose works have been exhibited at LACMA, The Armand Hammer Museum, and various other venues, both here in L.A. and internationally. She also teaches art with a gentle, enjoyable approach.

Perfect for early holiday shopping for a very special someone, there are over 500 paintings, many of which are demonstrating particular painting techniques. Browse through the selections, and pick out your favorites. I’m warning you – it will be tough to narrow down your selections. I won’t even pretend to know anything technical about art, but I LOVE Catherine’s work. Something about the way her paintings have a dreamy and deep feeling…..yeah, I’ll leave the critique to the professionals.

Catherine Tirr – Leaning Arch

Catherine Tirr – Glade

The venue for the sale is a fun place. Vidiots is a unique video store with a great selection of hard to find movies, located on Pico Blvd, between 3rd and 4th streets. ( across the street from Santa Monica BOWL). There is meter parking all around the store, limited parking in the back and street parking a block away. As you go into the store, the annex is on your left.